Hunger strike for gay equality (with video)

(Photo by David N. Posavetz/Journal Register Co.) David Garcia, executive director of Affirmations in Ferndale - the state’s largest gay community center -- began Monday doing the first day of a 100-day hunger strike to raise awareness about equality for gays. Gay leaders and supporters are each doing one day of fasting in a 10-foot square living area in the front window of Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road.

FERNDALE -- Gay leaders and supporters statewide have started a 100-day hunger strike in relays of one day each in the front window of Affirmations on West Nine Mile Road to protest state legislation they say limits civil rights for gays.

The strike began Monday morning with Affirmations Executive Director David Garcia taking the first 24-hour shift. The hunger strike is an effort to highlight equality issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents in the days leading up to the November election.

“Michigan is the Mississippi of the civil rights movement when it comes to gay equality,” Garcia said as he got ready to spend a day with no food. “This is a day of hunger because we hunger for equality … this is the civil rights battle of our time.”

Affirmations, the state’s largest gay community center, has joined with other LGBT community centers in Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Midland, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Supporters from the other centers will take their turns in the hunger strike at Affirmations in the coming months.

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Garcia on Monday sat in a 10-foot square space, outfitted with a chair, sofa, lamps and table, which is serving as the official hunger-strike zone.

“We’re looking to educate people on several pieces of anti-gay legislation,” said Cass Varner, spokeswoman for Affirmations. “Most people don’t know gay people can still be fired from jobs, denied housing, and denied domestic partner benefits.”

Garcia said gay people also cannot get married in Michigan or adopt children, and are essentially treated as second-class citizens.

“You add them all together and we should be embarrassed in this state,” he said. “When we speak to our straight allies about this they get angry … without the straight community we will never win equality in this state.”

Garcia also decried state legislative efforts to overturn gay rights ordinances in 18 cities, including Ferndale. If the bill becomes law it would ban municipalities from extending rights to anyone not already covered under the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights act of 1976, which fails to include LBGT people.

Inside the café at Affirmations, organizers have set up an “Advocacy Island” where supporters can phone, blog and tweet.

Strike advocates have also highlighted the state Supreme Court and several politicians, including Troy Mayor Janice Daniels and Rochester Hills state Rep. Tom McMillin, in an “Equality Rights Hall of Shame” for their positions affecting gay people.

“Our job is to educate and advocate,” Garcia said. “We are not in a position (as a non-profit entity) to support candidates for office.”

Among those scheduled to take part in the hunger strike are Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter, County Commissioner Craig Covey and Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh.

The hunger strike is being live streamed at www.ustream.com/MM77. Organizers have also set up a website at www.hungry4equality.com